In class we watched Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo. Movie Description: In the opening days of World War II, the Nazis occupy Warsaw. In a display of extraordinary courage and commitment, zookeeper Jan Zabinski decides to hide the city’s most endangered residents in his home. Before war’s end, the Warsaw Zoo will become a safe haven for 300 Jewish men, women, and children. From award-winning director Gary Lester, comes this compelling Holocaust story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
After watching the movie the students wrote letters to Gary Lester (the director of Safe Haven). Dear Gary Lester, We are learning about the Holocaust in reading class and we watched your movie in class. I liked the real footage of the nazis attacking the jewish people. I thought it was cool that there was still footage of that. We learned About the ghettos and how they created tunnels to get the jews to safety and how they created fake birth certificates to protect them. We also learned a lot about Jan Zabinski and his family and how they helped save 300 people.
For rating your movie, I would give it a five out of five. I think we learned a lot about the holocaust and the Warsaw zoo. I would say that Grades 4 and up could watch this. Maybe Grade 3, but the 4th graders could handle it. What movie are we working now? Do you just work on historical movies? Do you work with Marsha Goren a lot? I would like to know.
Sincerely,
Maclaine W. Lincoln Elementary school Oak Park Il.
Dear Gary Lester, Yesterday, my class and I watched Safe Haven: Warsaw Zoo Movie. It was awesome! My rating would probably be 4 stars because although it was extremely exciting, it was also really depressing and sad. I think this movie is appropriate for fifth graders and older only, because some scenes in the movie were a little frightening and sad. The best qualities were the beginning and the end because in the beginning it was calm and the story was unfolding and being introduced and the end because all the horror was over and I didn’t have to watch any more destruction. I learned that any person no matter how small or how unimportant can save many. AMAZING! In the movie my overall feelings were sad, horrified, and scared. I enjoyed learning about the Warsaw Zoo, and all of my questions were answered in the movie. Overall, I think your movie was great, despite all of the terrible events and tragedies. Sincerely, Kate
Dear Gary Lester,
I really enjoyed your movie Warsaw Zoo: Save Haven. I liked how it showed the actual videos. I learned that after the Nazis bombed Warsaw, they acted like they were doing people a favor by feeding them. Then the Nazis billed the homeless people for the food. I would give it 4 stars️ because the movie was very interesting but it was kind of short. I would like it more if it were a little bit longer. The movie was sad but I liked it. The Zabinskis were kind to hide the Jews from the Nazis. I think this is appropriate for 3rd grade and up. I think that because kids under 3rd grade wouldn't understand the movie. How did some of the Jews survive when the ghetto burning? If they Jewish made it out alive, would the Nazis try to kill them?
From Ellie
Lincoln Elementary School
Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester, I really loved your movie Safe Haven Warsaw Zoo! It taught me a lot about the Holocaust and how brave people had to be to live in that time. Its very sad but inspirational. Your movie taught me that no matter what the consequences may be you should, sorry need to stand up for what you believe in and save the people you love.Your movie had a lot of good qualities but I think that the best one is that you used real footage that Hitler and his men took. The fact that you were also able to find Rychard and interview him, since he was able to remember the people that were hidden in Warsaw Zoo, by his father. It was also very good that you managed to get Asia because she had escaped the Ghetto.
I learned a lot from your movie, but here are some of the things I learned: For centuries Jews fled their countries to find a safe haven in Poland, Ganzabinski Zabinski owns the zoo, Hitler video taped the people in the Ghettos, Many animals were wounded or killed when the Warsaw zoo was bombed. German news cameras were there to record what they called acts of Humanitarian. Jews had to wear an armband with the Star of David. Adults were considered anyone of 6 months, they were not allowed to have milk. If I had to rate this movie I would give it a 5 out of 5! It was a great movie with no flaws! I loved it! I think this movie is appropriate for grades 3 and up.
Do you enjoy directing movies? Is it hard to find people to interview when you are doing documentaries? What do you prefer to direct, documentaries or movies?
Signed, Cassie Lincoln School Oak Park,IL
Dear Gary Lester,
We watched safe haven Warsaw Zoo.I loved that you included people that
were alive during the time, it showed how much the world has changed in very little time. I loved how you pieced together the information with little stories, like the boy who laughed at the Jewish people and got in trouble.I learned about how many details are involved in the holocaust, for example that hitler video taped everything because he thought that it was good for humanity. The main thing I learned is that one person can do amazing things.
My overall rating for the movie is a 3 out of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️❌❌ , because the movie gives great information but I personally feel that it didn't focus on the zoo and more Poland during the holocaust.That is understandable because the holocaust is such a broad topic. I think the movie is for grades 4-12, because the information is timeless. I was wondering if you were working on anything else, if so I can't what to watch it.
Sincerely,
McKale
Lincoln School Oak Park IL
Dear Mr. Gary Lester,
Thank you so much for your movie, Warsaw Zoo, Safe Haven. I loved it and thought it was great for 5th Graders and above. It was a great movie but it was sad and upsetting to hear about how Adolf Hitler stormed Poland and tried to kill all of the Jews in Warsaw. My favorite part was when the Polish Resistance rose up against the German Nazis. I will give the movie 10/10 because it was exciting, informative, and suspending. I learned everything in the Universe about the Holocaust because I had no idea what people were talking about when they mentioned the word “Holocaust” but now your movie explained everything to me. The best qualities about the movie were definitely all of the interviews, they were all so dramatic and there were always some kind of flashback which was really cool to actually feel like you are there. I also have some questions for you. First, did you have any relatives who were in Poland at the time of the Holocaust? Also, Have you made any other movies? How long did it take to gather the interviewed people and videos and put the movie together? I can’t wait until you have these answers! Thank you so much for your movie!
Johnny M. Lincoln school Oak Park IL
Dear Gary Lester,
I really liked your movie, Safe Haven, I thought it was very educational. It was realistic because the footage and pictures were real. I thought it was very inspirational. I learned that no matter what, always treat a person like you would treat yourself. I also learnt that the Germans wouldn’t give milk to anyone over 6 months because they qualified as adults. My overall feelings are that it is really moving and that it was really cool the Jan Zabinski was really kind to let all the Jews hide in the zoo. I would give this movie 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐, even though it is a really good movie it is a bit sad with the bombing and burning. I think this movie is appropriate for 4-6 grades. Where did you find all the pictures and video clips? Why did Hitler think he was doing a favor for the Jews?
Sincerely, Adam R. Lincoln School, Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester, We watched Safe Haven Warsaw Zoo movie. The best qualities of the movie was that it was realistic and they interviewed people who were in the Holocaust. I learned that Jan Zabinski saved about 300 Jews. I would give this movie 4 stars because I thought it was good but it was sad. If it was less sad I think it would have been better. My overall feelings are it was sad that Hitler liquidated the ghettos. I think it’s appropriate for kids 4th grade and older because kids younger than 4th grade probably won’t get what’s it about. Why did you decide to make a movie about the Holocaust. What was the first movie you made.
Sincerly, Addison Lincoln school Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester,
Yesterday our class watched Safe Haven: Warsaw Zoo. I was very intrigued by the way you interviewed some of the survivors of the Holocaust who were involved with the Polish Resistance. By watching this movie, I learned how a single family saved thousands of lives during a period of time when many people were killed because they were being judged for their own religion, a stupid and ridiculous reason for so many deaths. I would rate this four out of five stars. The real footage from the Holocaust helped present the movie in a way that portrayed the Holocaust very realistically, and accurately depicted the oppression and brutality the Jews were faced with. I think that this movie is appropriate for grades 4 and up, due to the fact that many young children might not be mature enough to watch a film that includes scenes with such cruel abuse to humans; however, this was a great way for our fifth grade class to gain knowledge about the Warsaw Zoo, and we are very grateful for that. Thank you so much for creating this short film.
Sincerely, Megan Lincoln School Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester, My class watched your movie, Safe Haven this week. We go to Lincoln Elementary in Oak Park Illinios. I think the best quality of your movie is the videos that Hitler took. I learned a lot of things from your movie especially the moral that an ordinary person can do extraordinary things. I also learned that Hitler filmed what he was doing and that the nazis burned the Jews. In my opinion your movie is a 9 out of 10 because the movie is very sad and sort of violent so I think the movie is for 4th grade and up. But overall I think the movie is very well made. I have one question, what made you want to make Safe Haven. Thank you for making the movie it helped me and my classmates learn more about the holocaust and the Warsaw Zoo. from Dylan
Dear Gary Lester,
I watched Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo. I really learned a lot of watching the movie! It is so informative and interesting, and not at all boring and too horrific for a fifth grader to watch. I rate it eleven out of ten because it was so amazing! I learned about how they would wear fur to disguise themselves as animals in the cages. Only two of the three hundred people in the zoo died. That's awesome! I think that the movie is appropriate for grades 4 and up because there are a few scary parts that little kids shouldn't see yet, but other than that it is totally fine for kids. The best thing about the movie was all of the pictures. I didn't particularly like the one of the dead tiger. That was really sad. I like the one of the hallway in the zoo where people slept. I have two questions. First is how long did it take to make this movie? The second is was it hard to find so many pictures that kids wouldn't be afraid of? I really loved this movie, and i would recommend this to lots of people.
Movie Description: In the opening days of World War II, the Nazis occupy Warsaw. In a display of extraordinary courage and commitment, zookeeper Jan Zabinski decides to hide the city’s most endangered residents in his home. Before war’s end, the Warsaw Zoo will become a safe haven for 300 Jewish men, women, and children. From award-winning director Gary Lester, comes this compelling Holocaust story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
After watching the movie the students wrote letters to Gary Lester (the director of Safe Haven).
Dear Gary Lester,
We are learning about the Holocaust in reading class and we watched your movie in class. I liked the real footage of the nazis attacking the jewish people. I thought it was cool that there was still footage of that. We learned About the ghettos and how they created tunnels to get the jews to safety and how they created fake birth certificates to protect them. We also learned a lot about Jan Zabinski and his family and how they helped save 300 people.
For rating your movie, I would give it a five out of five. I think we learned a lot about the holocaust and the Warsaw zoo. I would say that Grades 4 and up could watch this. Maybe Grade 3, but the 4th graders could handle it. What movie are we working now? Do you just work on historical movies? Do you work with Marsha Goren a lot? I would like to know.
Sincerely,
Maclaine W.
Lincoln Elementary school
Oak Park Il.
Dear Gary Lester,
Yesterday, my class and I watched Safe Haven: Warsaw Zoo Movie. It was awesome! My rating would probably be 4 stars because although it was extremely exciting, it was also really depressing and sad. I think this movie is appropriate for fifth graders and older only, because some scenes in the movie were a little frightening and sad. The best qualities were the beginning and the end because in the beginning it was calm and the story was unfolding and being introduced and the end because all the horror was over and I didn’t have to watch any more destruction. I learned that any person no matter how small or how unimportant can save many. AMAZING! In the movie my overall feelings were sad, horrified, and scared. I enjoyed learning about the Warsaw Zoo, and all of my questions were answered in the movie.
Overall, I think your movie was great, despite all of the terrible events and tragedies.
Sincerely, Kate
Dear Gary Lester,
I really enjoyed your movie Warsaw Zoo: Save Haven. I liked how it showed the actual videos. I learned that after the Nazis bombed Warsaw, they acted like they were doing people a favor by feeding them. Then the Nazis billed the homeless people for the food. I would give it 4 stars️ because the movie was very interesting but it was kind of short. I would like it more if it were a little bit longer. The movie was sad but I liked it. The Zabinskis were kind to hide the Jews from the Nazis. I think this is appropriate for 3rd grade and up. I think that because kids under 3rd grade wouldn't understand the movie. How did some of the Jews survive when the ghetto burning? If they Jewish made it out alive, would the Nazis try to kill them?
From Ellie
Lincoln Elementary School
Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester,
I really loved your movie Safe Haven Warsaw Zoo! It taught me a lot about the Holocaust and how brave people had to be to live in that time. Its very sad but inspirational. Your movie taught me that no matter what the consequences may be you should, sorry need to stand up for what you believe in and save the people you love.Your movie had a lot of good qualities but I think that the best one is that you used real footage that Hitler and his men took. The fact that you were also able to find Rychard and interview him, since he was able to remember the people that were hidden in Warsaw Zoo, by his father. It was also very good that you managed to get Asia because she had escaped the Ghetto.
I learned a lot from your movie, but here are some of the things I learned: For centuries Jews fled their countries to find a safe haven in Poland, Ganzabinski Zabinski owns the zoo, Hitler video taped the people in the Ghettos, Many animals were wounded or killed when the Warsaw zoo was bombed. German news cameras were there to record what they called acts of Humanitarian. Jews had to wear an armband with the Star of David. Adults were considered anyone of 6 months, they were not allowed to have milk. If I had to rate this movie I would give it a 5 out of 5! It was a great movie with no flaws! I loved it! I think this movie is appropriate for grades 3 and up.
Do you enjoy directing movies? Is it hard to find people to interview when you are doing documentaries? What do you prefer to direct, documentaries or movies?
Signed,
Cassie
Lincoln School
Oak Park,IL
Dear Gary Lester,
We watched safe haven Warsaw Zoo.I loved that you included people that
were alive during the time, it showed how much the world has changed in very little time. I loved how you pieced together the information with little stories, like the boy who laughed at the Jewish people and got in trouble.I learned about how many details are involved in the holocaust, for example that hitler video taped everything because he thought that it was good for humanity. The main thing I learned is that one person can do amazing things.
My overall rating for the movie is a 3 out of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️❌❌ , because the movie gives great information but I personally feel that it didn't focus on the zoo and more Poland during the holocaust.That is understandable because the holocaust is such a broad topic. I think the movie is for grades 4-12, because the information is timeless. I was wondering if you were working on anything else, if so I can't what to watch it.
Sincerely,
McKale
Lincoln School Oak Park IL
Dear Mr. Gary Lester,
Thank you so much for your movie, Warsaw Zoo, Safe Haven. I loved it and thought it was great for 5th Graders and above. It was a great movie but it was sad and upsetting to hear about how Adolf Hitler stormed Poland and tried to kill all of the Jews in Warsaw. My favorite part was when the Polish Resistance rose up against the German Nazis. I will give the movie 10/10 because it was exciting, informative, and suspending. I learned everything in the Universe about the Holocaust because I had no idea what people were talking about when they mentioned the word “Holocaust” but now your movie explained everything to me. The best qualities about the movie were definitely all of the interviews, they were all so dramatic and there were always some kind of flashback which was really cool to actually feel like you are there. I also have some questions for you. First, did you have any relatives who were in Poland at the time of the Holocaust? Also, Have you made any other movies? How long did it take to gather the interviewed people and videos and put the movie together? I can’t wait until you have these answers! Thank you so much for your movie!
Johnny M.
Lincoln school Oak Park IL
Dear Gary Lester,
I really liked your movie, Safe Haven, I thought it was very educational. It was realistic because the footage and pictures were real. I thought it was very inspirational. I learned that no matter what, always treat a person like you would treat yourself.
I also learnt that the Germans wouldn’t give milk to anyone over 6 months because they qualified as adults. My overall feelings are that it is really moving and that it was really cool the Jan Zabinski was really kind to let all the Jews hide in the zoo. I would give this movie 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐, even though it is a really good movie it is a bit sad with the bombing and burning. I think this movie is appropriate for 4-6 grades. Where did you find all the pictures and video clips? Why did Hitler think he was doing a favor for the Jews?
Sincerely,
Adam R.
Lincoln School, Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester,
We watched Safe Haven Warsaw Zoo movie. The best qualities of the movie was that it was realistic and they
interviewed people who were in the Holocaust. I learned
that Jan Zabinski saved about 300 Jews. I would give
this movie 4 stars because I thought it was good but it
was sad. If it was less sad I think it would have been
better. My overall feelings are it was sad that Hitler
liquidated the ghettos. I think it’s appropriate for kids
4th grade and older because kids younger than 4th
grade probably won’t get what’s it about. Why did
you decide to make a movie about the Holocaust.
What was the first movie you made.
Sincerly,
Addison
Lincoln school
Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester,
Yesterday our class watched Safe Haven: Warsaw Zoo. I was very intrigued by the way you interviewed some of the survivors of the Holocaust who were involved with the Polish Resistance. By watching this movie, I learned how a single family saved thousands of lives during a period of time when many people were killed because they were being judged for their own religion, a stupid and ridiculous reason for so many deaths. I would rate this four out of five stars. The real footage from the Holocaust helped present the movie in a way that portrayed the Holocaust very realistically, and accurately depicted the oppression and brutality the Jews were faced with. I think that this movie is appropriate for grades 4 and up, due to the fact that many young children might not be mature enough to watch a film that includes scenes with such cruel abuse to humans; however, this was a great way for our fifth grade class to gain knowledge about the Warsaw Zoo, and we are very grateful for that. Thank you so much for creating this short film.
Sincerely,
Megan
Lincoln School
Oak Park, IL
Dear Gary Lester,
My class watched your movie, Safe Haven this week. We go to Lincoln Elementary in Oak Park Illinios. I think the best quality of your movie is the videos that Hitler took. I learned a lot of things from your movie especially the moral that an ordinary person can do extraordinary things. I also learned that Hitler filmed what he was doing and that the nazis burned the Jews. In my opinion your movie is a 9 out of 10 because the movie is very sad and sort of violent so I think the movie is for 4th grade and up. But overall I think the movie is very well made. I have one question, what made you want to make Safe Haven. Thank you for making the movie it helped me and my classmates learn more about the holocaust and the Warsaw Zoo.
from Dylan
Dear Gary Lester,
I watched Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo. I really learned a lot of watching the movie! It is so informative and interesting, and not at all boring and too horrific for a fifth grader to watch. I rate it eleven out of ten because it was so amazing! I learned about how they would wear fur to disguise themselves as animals in the cages. Only two of the three hundred people in the zoo died. That's awesome! I think that the movie is appropriate for grades 4 and up because there are a few scary parts that little kids shouldn't see yet, but other than that it is totally fine for kids. The best thing about the movie was all of the pictures. I didn't particularly like the one of the dead tiger. That was really sad. I like the one of the hallway in the zoo where people slept. I have two questions. First is how long did it take to make this movie? The second is was it hard to find so many pictures that kids wouldn't be afraid of? I really loved this movie, and i would recommend this to lots of people.
Thank you for teaching me so much,
Meg
Lincoln School